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E30 Stereo Wiring for Dummies

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    E30 Stereo Wiring for Dummies

    Hey everyone;

    I've been reading and using the search function on here for a few weeks, but havn't posted yet. However, I've hit some pretty huge walls and so I think it's time to seek help.

    My lastest project is I'm trying to wire up a new stereo into my new (old) 1987 325i E30 (Premium Sound, with the fader in the dash and the amp in the trunk) Guess what? IT'S SUPER NOT EASY! I'm wiring in a Alpine CDE-100 headunit, I'm keeping the stock speakers for now. I can't use a wiring harness as they don't exist for that old car.

    If anyone knows of a good DIY or wants to start giving me some info, I'd be very glad. I can't handle "Teenage Dream" and the rest of the shitty Top 40 radio listening any more.

    This post was one I found, but I am wondering if it would work out for premium sound? (i have the two speakers in the back, amp, fader):

    Originally posted by StereoInstaller1 View Post
    OK, stop right there.

    If you have a non premium sound car, you do not need (nor would I recommend) to run new wires...everything you need is already in the dash.

    That diagram you made in the OP is WRONG, and will smoke your deck after a while, plus it will sound really shitty.

    Ask "Danny" what a difference it made, I did his in 15 minutes while we were at the Picnic.

    Here is what to do:
    1. Remove deck

    2. remove fader

    3. unwrap wires to the fader, about 8 to 10 inches before the plug.

    You will find 2 sets of 3 wires, all brown, or like brown/orange.
    These are your speaker negatives.



    Now, use yellow/red for the left front positive and the wire it is twisted with is the ground for that speaker.
    Yellow/black will be the left rear positive, the twisted wire is the ground for that speaker.
    Blue/red is right front, again with the twisted wire thing...bet you see the pattern now, dont'cha?

    Seriously, if this takes you half an hour, I would be amazed.

    You will also see how the 2 blue wires feed into the fader, and the chassis ground.

    If you see a grey/red wire, that is the dash light circuit. Cap it off, you won't need it.

    BTW, the stock 20 year old BMW wire is excellent, use it in good faith.



    Cheers.
    Last edited by MaxBell; 10-15-2010, 05:28 PM.
    REMEMBER: Be safe and have fun is Rule Number 1.

    The Epic Unbuild of Clint Eastwood

    #2
    I used the diy I found on here, but my car only has 4 speaker wires, apparently I'm supposed to have 8 in the dash. I can't locate the amp or the wires that are supposed to be in the trunk.



    that tut actually.

    Comment


      #3
      Easiest and beat thing to do is scrap all of the original speaker wires, run new wires to the speakers and hook up power, ground, antenna, and ignition.

      Comment


        #4
        I can use the existing power, ground, and antenna wires though right?

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by bad_azz_bmr View Post
          Easiest and beat thing to do is scrap all of the original speaker wires, run new wires to the speakers and hook up power, ground, antenna, and ignition.
          Don't be silly, the BMW wire is incredible. It is WAY better than any shit you are gonna wanna pay for, trust me on this.

          You can't strip other 20 year old wire and expect it to still be nice and shiny.

          Closing SOON!
          "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

          Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

          Thanks for 10 years of fun!

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by StereoInstaller1 View Post
            Don't be silly, the BMW wire is incredible. It is WAY better than any shit you are gonna wanna pay for, trust me on this.

            You can't strip other 20 year old wire and expect it to still be nice and shiny.
            anyone know why I only have 4 speaker wires when that DIY said I should have 8?

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by graffeedy5 View Post
              anyone know why I only have 4 speaker wires when that DIY said I should have 8?
              What car you got?

              Closing SOON!
              "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

              Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

              Thanks for 10 years of fun!

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by graffeedy5 View Post
                anyone know why I only have 4 speaker wires when that DIY said I should have 8?
                -/+ -/+ -/+ -/+ solved
                1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
                Bought parts from me before? leave your feedback here

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by mr.vang View Post
                  -/+ -/+ -/+ -/+ solved
                  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
                  Premium Sound does not use speaker ground for amplifier input, and if he still has the factory amp and fader, he will have only 2 wires for "speakers" which is why there is so much confusion.

                  Closing SOON!
                  "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

                  Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

                  Thanks for 10 years of fun!

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by StereoInstaller1 View Post
                    Don't be silly, the BMW wire is incredible. It is WAY better than any shit you are gonna wanna pay for, trust me on this.

                    You can't strip other 20 year old wire and expect it to still be nice and shiny.
                    werd. I've been using the engine harness from my '88 parts car as a "parts" harness. I had been buying wire at the local hardware store, but the quality is horrible. You can't even solder the stuff because it's all nasty inside.

                    eventually when I gut the rest of the car, I'll strip all the wire out of it and keep it for future use. maybe even steal the premium sound wiring since I was retarded and cut into mine.. :(

                    oh yeah, the wires on later BMWs suck. especially the "shrink wrap" stuff on the M50. you can pull it apart with your bare hands, and the insulation on the wires gets all hard and brittle. Nothing like that on the E30 harnesses I've taken apart..
                    Build thread

                    Bimmerlabs

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Agreed (^).

                      I have done a few installs on E90s and such, the wire is nothing like E30 wire.

                      Closing SOON!
                      "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

                      Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

                      Thanks for 10 years of fun!

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by StereoInstaller1 View Post
                        What car you got?
                        Originally posted by mr.vang View Post
                        -/+ -/+ -/+ -/+ solved
                        1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
                        i stripped the end of each wire though and there's only one type of wire inside. it's an 87 325e. I've got 4 speaker wires, front left, front right, rear left, rear right, where are the positive and negatives? Can anyone take a picture of what it should look like?

                        Comment


                          #13
                          You need to disconnect the fader and strip the harness back about a foot or so.

                          You will find twisted pairs: 2 blue sets, 2 yellow sets.

                          BLACK STRIPE IS POSITIVE!

                          Closing SOON!
                          "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

                          Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

                          Thanks for 10 years of fun!

                          Comment


                            #14
                            the speaker wires that were going into the stock headunit are yellow, yellow/brown, blue, blue/brown. I have to strip those back a foot to get to the positive and negative?

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Yes. You MUST get past the fader wiring.

                              Brown is ground, don't forget.

                              Closing SOON!
                              "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

                              Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

                              Thanks for 10 years of fun!

                              Comment

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